Butthecommandsofthecaliph，orhislieutenant，weresternandabsolute；andHoseinwasinformedthathemusteithersubmitasacaptiveandacriminaltothecommanderofthefaithful，orexpecttheconsequencesofhisrebellion。\"Doyouthink，\"
repliedhe，\"toterrifymewithdeath?\"And，duringtheshortrespiteofanight，hepreparedwithcalmandsolemnresignationtoencounterhisfate。HecheckedthelamentationsofhissisterFatima，whodeploredtheimpendingruinofhishouse。\"Ourtrust，\"saidHosein，\"isinGodalone。Allthings，bothinheavenandearth，mustperishandreturntotheirCreator。Mybrother，myfather，mymother，werebetterthanme，andeveryMussulmanhasanexampleintheprophet。\"Hepressedhisfriendstoconsulttheirsafetybyatimelyflight:theyunanimouslyrefusedtodesertorsurvivetheirbelovedmaster:
andtheircouragewasfortifiedbyaferventprayerandtheassuranceofparadise。Onthemorningofthefatalday，hemountedonhorseback，withhisswordinonehandandtheKoranintheother:hisgenerousbandofmartyrsconsistedonlyofthirty—twohorseandfortyfoot；buttheirflanksandrearweresecuredbythetent—ropes，andbyadeeptrenchwhichtheyhadfilledwithlightedfagots，accordingtothepracticeoftheArabs。Theenemyadvancedwithreluctance，andoneoftheirchiefsdeserted，withthirtyfollowers，toclaimthepartnershipofinevitabledeath。Ineverycloseonset，orsinglecombat，thedespairoftheFatimiteswasinvincible；butthesurroundingmultitudesgalledthemfromadistancewithacloudofarrows，andthehorsesandmenweresuccessivelyslain；atrucewasallowedonbothsidesforthehourofprayer；andthebattleatlengthexpiredbythedeathofthelastcompanionsofHosein。
Alone，weary，andwounded，heseatedhimselfatthedoorofhistent。Ashetastedadropofwater，hewaspiercedinthemouthwithadart；andhissonandnephew，twobeautifulyouths，werekilledinhisarms。Heliftedhishandstoheaven；theywerefullofblood；andheutteredafuneralprayerforthelivingandthedead。Inatransportofdespairhissisterissuedfromthetent，andadjuredthegeneraloftheCufians，thathewouldnotsufferHoseintobemurderedbeforehiseyes:ateartrickleddownhisvenerablebeard；andtheboldestofhissoldiersfellbackoneverysideasthedyingherothrewhimselfamongthem。
TheremorselessShamer，anamedetestedbythefaithful，reproachedtheircowardice；andthegrandsonofMahometwasslainwiththree—and—thirtystrokesoflancesandswords。Aftertheyhadtrampledonhisbody，theycarriedhisheadtothecastleofCufa，andtheinhumanObeidollahstruckhimonthemouthwithacane:\"Alas，\"exclaimedanagedMussulman，\"ontheselipshaveI